The Mastercard Foundation (MCF) Scholars Programme, a project that seeks to give financial assistance to underprivileged brilliant students to access university education, has been launched at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
The 10-year programme, targeting students from less-endowed second-cycle institutions, is to help assist more than 700 beneficiaries across the nation to develop their educational career.
Statistics indicate that out of a possible 1, 800 admissions offered by the KNUST to its respective colleges, not more than 300 students are able to mobilise resources to enable them pursue their courses.
Ms Reeta Roy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MCF, said the Foundation, being one of the largest private foundations in the world, is committed to provide greater access to education, skills training and financial services for young people living in poverty, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
This, she said, is meant to improve their wellbeing to support the socio-economic aspirations of the continent.
Ms Roy indicated that in Africa, the KNUST, Ashesi University College, Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), Africa Leadership Academy and Makerere University are some of the beneficiaries of the scholarship programme.
She expressed optimism that the opportunity given the less-endowed youth would help transform their lives to benefit the people.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST, disclosed that so far, 150 students have been enrolled under the programme.
Data on student support compiled by the University’s Students Financial Services, he said, shows that students from the predominantly deprived backgrounds were the most economically-vulnerable.
The Vice-Chancellor, lauded the MCF for partnering the University to give opportunity to those category of students to realize their dreams.
Source: GNA
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